Case Study – Guidance Marine Ltd

CHH CoNeX supports Guidance Marine with supply chain security    

Leicester-based Guidance Marine has created a more robust supply chain by using CHH CoNeX for its bespoke cable assembly. The global business develops and supplies Dynamic Positioning technologies for off-shore markets, with components having to perform within extreme environments. CHH CoNeX products not only meet quality standards but meet strict compliance criteria and provide peace of mind that documentation is in place to secure key industry approvals.

Meeting the demands of off-shore componentry 

Guidance Marine’s technology provides integrated positioning and hazard detection products and solutions for marine applications. It supports real-time vessel positioning and manoeuvring within extreme environments, including off-shore oil and gas. Its solutions deliver precision, reliability and cost benefits to customers across the globe.

Safety is paramount for end users on vessels and rigs. The components which make up their products must meet the strictest standards of design.

Paul Betteridge, Quality Engineer at Guidance Marine, explains: “Our position reference sensors feed information about distance and bearing back to the dynamic positioning system. That way, the vessel can maintain a steady position. The external cables used on our products are battered by wind, sea and water, whilst being exposed to ultraviolet radiation. They are often used in potentially explosive environments and safety is paramount.”

Tackling traceability and compliance

When Paul joined Guidance Marine in 2017, he set about scrutinising how cables assemblies were supplied and recognised the need for a more robust supply chain partner to safeguard both the quality of the products and the approval criteria surrounding them.

Guidance Marine began discussing its requirements with CHH CoNeX and soon found the business offered a much better strategic fit.

“They are ISO accredited and were already supplying customers in the oil and gas markets”, says Paul. “Also, their assembly was ATEX accredited, which brings huge benefits.”

ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres. It covers a range of equipment, including that used on offshore platforms. For companies such as Guidance Marine, it plays a critical role in maintaining and monitoring safety standards and is a prerequisite on a number of its projects.

CHH not only guarantees the quality standards required by ATEX, but also the supporting documentation to ensure audit criteria can be met.

Paul and his team carried out full ATEX and ISO audits at CHH CoNeX and reported 100% compliance. This gave them the confidence to place an initial order for prototype cables.

Paul says: “They delivered a fantastic product. It was spot on and came with an Initial Sample Inspection Report. Since then, they have become our main cable supplier and the relationship continues to go from strength to strength.”

New product development

The team at CHH CoNeX received concessions so that they could update on existing product drawings and legitimately build to new specifications. They have also supplied cables for two new products.

Guidance Marine recently launched RS24 – the world’s first commercially available K-band maritime radar. The business is gearing up to launch a number of new solutions across different marine markets and is relying on suppliers like CHH CoNeX to ensure it can respond to changing customer demand.

Trusted partner

Paul says: ““CHH CoNeX have helped embed trust in our supply chain”, says Paul. “We get reliable and dependable products from a quality company.”

CHH CoNeX puts innovative design at the heart of its solutions to serve a range of markets with cable assembly design and manufacture, integration of racks and cabinets and managed services. A growing number of companies recognise the value of partnering with a supplier with a track record of innovation, continuous improvement and fully documented operations.

CHH CoNeX Sales & Marketing Director, Kevin Wilcox, says: “Quality is a throw away term these days but it’s how you demonstrate it that really matters. Safety is critical for many of our customers and our differentiator is the way we document everything we do. Supply chain traceability and documentation control are top of the agenda and that’s where ATEX approval comes to the fore. Companies like Guidance Marine recognize the value of due diligence and putting their work in a safe pair of hands.”

At a glance

Company: Guidance Marine

https://www.guidance.eu.com/home

Industry sector: Developer and supplier of Precision Reference Sensors for Dynamic Positioning technology.

The challenge:  To supply cable assembly for hostile marine environments with robust production traceability.

Solution and services: ATEX-approved and ISO accredited assembly of a range of cabling solutions for new and existing products.

The benefits: Building trust and reliability into the supply chain. 

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